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Canucks set for retool

Team misses playoffs for the first time since 2007-08

Just don’t call it a rebuild.

The Canucks season is over. The team won’t make the playoffs for the first time since 2007-08, the year after Mike Gillis took over as general manager.

Though injuries are a huge part of Canucks’ failure this season, there is also a growing concern over the organization’s lack of talent up front and overall depth.

Now they have a coach and a general manager taking subtle swipes at each other through the media.

Last week, Gillis insinuated head coach John Tortorella is to blame for the team’s defence-first, dull style of hockey. Tortorella responded by stating the team’s lack of depth has forced him to adapt a defensive posture.

But in spite of upper management issues, the Canucks’ long-term future hasn’t looked this bright in quite awhile.

For the first time in a decade they’ll have a huge chunk of change to spend this summer. Assuming they buyout David Booth (though his recent uptick in play may dissuade management),  and Aqullini opens his pocketbook, the Canucks will have about $15 million to spend.

If this unimpressive season is going to be a one-off, they’ll need to add two, top-six forwards.

For around $5 million a season, former Gillis client Mike Cammalleri would make a nice addition to the second line. Throw in another high priced, goal scoring UFA (Radim Vrbata, Matt Moulson, Ryan Callahan) and the Canucks could find themselves back at the top of the Western Conference next season.

And for the first time in 15 years, the Canucks actually have some decent prospects coming through the pipeline.

With Bo Horvat, Hunter Shinkaruk, Nicklas Jensen, Brendan Gaunce, Dane Fox, Cole Cassels, and another top-10 pick this season, the Canucks will have one of the top five crops of forward prospects in the NHL – a far cry from where they were two years ago.

As well, two upper-echelon forward signings would give their younger prospects another year to develop.

Eventually, if the Canucks are going to avoid a full rebuild, they’ll have to follow the Anaheim and San Jose models, allowing the Sedin twins to phase into secondary scoring roles, while bringing on younger players to move into prominent roles.

This season can be a one-off, but it’s up to management and ownership to spend some money and bring in the infusion of talent this team so desperately needs.